twinge

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a sudden, brief, sharp pain

   A twinge in her shoulder made her lower the heavy bag.

2. 2
   noun

   a sudden, brief feeling of guilt, regret, fear, or another emotion

   He felt a twinge of guilt when he remembered Herbert's debts.

3. 3
   verb

   to feel or cause a sudden sharp pain

   Her knee twinged whenever she climbed the stairs.

The verb comes from Middle English twengen and Old English twengan, 'to pinch or squeeze.' The noun developed from the verb: a physical pinch became a sudden stab of pain and then, by metaphor, a brief sharp feeling such as guilt or regret.

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